Reflector



REFLECTOR.

No. 258,652. Patented May 30, 1882.

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(No Modell) O. W. JENKS.

REFLECTOR. N0. 258,652. Patented May 30, 1882.

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REFLECTOR.

No. 258,652. Patented May 80, 1882.

MjEE-LEEE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. JENKS, OF BOSTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO E. BAKER \VELCH, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

REFLECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,652, dated May 30, 1882.

Application filed April 23, 1881. Renewed April 18, 1882.

v To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. JENKs, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reflectors, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relatesto asystem or method of lighting which is peculiarly applicable to large rooms or halls where there are. columns and other objects to intercept the light and cast dark shadows, which are so peculiar to electric lighting, and which afford the greatest objection to its use where such light would otherwise be more acceptable.

The object of my invention is to counterveil these dark shadows to a great degree, and diffuse the light in such a manner as to most nearly resemble the sunlight. I also therewith introduce a phosphorescent property which greatly increases its usefulness. In achieving this I make the most advantageous arrangement ofthe lamps, so that as few shadows may be cast by any one or several lamps as possible which shall not be met and neutralized by the direct rays of some other lamp or lamps; and I also render reflective the objects which cause the shadows, so that the rays falling on them in one direction will be thrown off upon the dark side of some other intercepting object, and thus illumine spaces which would otherwise be dark. In any large room prominent intercepting objects will be the columns which support the roof or floor above, and in carrying out my invention Ihave adapted it to such a room.

I will first describe the method of rendering these columns reflective.

I encompass the entire length, or nearly so, of each upright column with a layer of paper, or preferably some stronger material, as muslin or other cloth. Wood veneer, leather, or any suitable material may be made use of in forming this sheath for the column. Upon this sheath I place a coating of some white or 'verylight colored, and consequently reflective, phosphorescent material, as the sulphides of calcium or barium. This coating, which I will for brevity simply term reflectivejmay (No model.)

be superposed in the form of thin wash, as most convenient or desirable. In thus encompassing the columns with the sheath of paper, cloth, or other material which is to receive the coating of reflective substance, I preferably mount said sheath on strips of wood which are held firmly in place by longitudinal braces or other strengthening means, thus forming a supporting frame-work. This wooden frame should be as light as is consistent with proper strength and durability.

The braces lie against the column, and may be fastened thereto; but I prefer to make the reflectors in two parts or halves, each being the entire length, but only encompassing onehalf of the circumference of the column, and afterward fastening them together when they are up. In this way they may be made to hold their place as securely as it attached permanently to the columns, and at the same time allow being taken down at will. This will render my reflectors valuable in instances where the lighting is to be temporary only. The upper part of each column is provided with a reflector in the shape of an inverted cone. This is made of the same material and mounted upon the same sort of framing as the lower circular reflector. It may be attached to the ceiling, or may rest on the lower reflector, which terminates where the inverted cone be gins. I may increase the angles of these inverted cones as their distance becomes greater from the source of light, in order that the reflection may be more directly etticient and perceptible in the room.

I increase the diameters of the columns as little as possible, so as not to enlarge the shadows and encroach upon space which is otherwise useful, and a convenient framing may'be madeof wire upon which to mount the sheath of paper or cloth. While this is more compact and occupies comparatively no space, it still has all the strength and durability of wood.

The reflectors may be cutaway from any part of the pillar in order to accommodate pulleys, belts, or other machinery, as may be required.

The inverted-cone reflectors and the lower circular reflectors may be of polygonal form, but perhaps will reflect the light more difi'usely when made round. In a room with pillars inclosed in my reflectors I arrange the lamps in such away as to take the best advantage of the light.

In large rooms having, say, eighty-four columns arranged in six rows lengthwise of the room, I propose to place twenty-eight lamps. I place seven at each end of the room against the walls, in such a manner as that the rays shall be thrown down the aisles formed by the columns. I place ten lamps in the mid-length of the room, between the rows of columns, and four along the side walls. All these lamps are provided with parabolicreflectors, except those along the side walls, which need not have any or only plane reflectors.

The reflectors back of the lamps at the ends of the room are set atvarious suitable angles, in order to throw the light toward the center of the room. The lamp in the center of each row may have its reflector set to throw the rays squarely back into the room, while those reaching from the center to the sides are set so as to throw the rays at the several neces sary angles toward the center of the room.

The reflectors of the lamps in the mid-length of the room are placed back to back, and reflect the light directly up and down the spaces between the columns.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and constitute what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of rows of pillars covered, as herein described, and a lamp, showing the direct rays in solid and the reflected in broken lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one of the pillars with onehalf of the reflector on it. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 4 is a diagram of a large room filled with pillars, showing the lamps suitably placed. Fig. 5 is a portion of the same, showing the direct and reflected rays from one single lamp.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A represents an ordinary iron column supporting the roof or floor above. There may be any number of these columns in the room to be lighted, and my invention will apply equally well.

'13 represents the horizontal braces holding the upright strips 0, and constituting the framework of the reflector.

D is the muslin, paper, or other covering on which the reflecting compound E is placed.

This reflector is not abrilliant, but a soft or deadened one, and the reflected light is not glarmg.

B represents the horizontal braces or pieces which hold the parts of the framing C, and together with the covering D form the upper or conical reflector, which is covered with the reflecting compound E. preferably rests upon the lower reflector, or it may be made in one therewith, and be put up together with it,

The conical reflector in dotted lines, are sent from the reflectingsurfaces E E in many directions, so that there are no dark spaces or shadows in the apartment.

I consider the best compound for coating the structure to form the reflectors to be the sulphides of calcium and barium, which I prepare in the form of a thin wash, and apply in any convenient way. This substance possesses amarked characteristic which I flnd very valuable in perfecting my invention. By its phosphorescent quality it shines to some degree after the original light is extinguished. This is peculiarly appreciable in a system of lighting where the lightcomes from one source, as it prevents that immediate plunge into darkness when any accident occurs to the light, which may otherwise prove disastrous in a room filled with machinery and men or women.

I propose in some cases, in addition to the reflectors on the pillars, or in rooms where there are no pillars, to surface the entire ceiling or vertical walls, or both, with phosphorescent wash ormaterial. In such cases I prefer to first paper the surface and then superpose the reflective coating. I think it best to make it as light colored or as near white as possible, so as to be useful, whether the light is on or off.

()nehalf of one of the reflectors for the pillars is shown placed around the pillar, which is in section in Fig. 2. To complete the inclosure of the pillar in reflective material it is only necessary to mount another half on the opposite side of the pillar. In Fig. 3 both halves are shown in cross section as placed around the pillar. This construction allows the reflectors to be readilyremoved or replaced.

The most extensive room or hall may thus be lighted by electric or other strongly-concentrated light and the dark shadows illumined and the light as thoroughly diffused as sunlight.

The several columns with the circular reflectors and the conical tops are so arranged, or rather the lights are so arranged relative thereto, as to reflect into every space in the room.

The reflected light is mellow and soft, and the many reflections which will be obtained by my arrangement will render the entire light of the room acceptable to and easy onthe eye.

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rial, in combination with the columns and with one or more electric lights arranged to diffuse and distribute the light, as herein specified.

2. The combination, with extended reflective surfaces mounted upon the ceiling and walls of a room receiving the light from one or more lamps, and with pillars provided with a removable frame having a reflective coating, of said lamps, substantially as set forth.

3. The system of electric lamps herein described, consisting of two rows of end lamps having their reflectors arranged at angles so as to throw the rays toward the center of the room, and the double row oflamps in the midlength of the room, having their reflectors back to back, so as to distribute the light between the several pillars, substantially as set forth.

4. The reflectors described, for use upon columns, consisting of a circular or polygonal sheath encompassing the greater part of the column, and an inverted conical reflector mounted above it, substantially as set forth.

5. The reflector described, formed in two parts and afterward placed around the column, as set forth.

6. A room having columns provided with removable frames bearin g a coatingof sulphide of calcium or analogous material, so as to reflect and diffuse light while it is received, and to continue it after the extinguishment of the lamps or otherlighting means, in combination with said lamps or lighting means, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my hand, at Boston, Massachusetts, this 13th day of April, 1881, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. W. JENKS.

Witnesses FREDERICK P. FrsH, JOHN D. Gown). 

